HighRiver

As Prime Minister Mark Carney gets ready to host U.S. President Donald Trump and other leaders at the G7 summit in Alberta, analysts say Canada's most important goal will be to keep the G7 from falling apart — even if that means not issuing a joint statement.

"Keeping this informal international organization together will, I think, be a mark of success," said Sen. Peter Boehm, a former diplomat who played a central role in Canada’s participation in the G7 for decades.

The historic ties and long-standing working relationship between the United Kingdom and Canada are not just reflections of the past, but are very much needed "in the here and now," British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Sunday. 

Starmer said the two Commonwealth members think and work alike, having collaborated for years on issues of security, defence, trade and the economy.

Starmer met with Prime Minister Mark Carney in Ottawa on Sunday before the two leaders headed for the G7 leaders' summit in Alberta.

Drivers in Okotoks should prepare for a temporary road closure along Avens Way starting this week.

Starting Monday, June 16, Avens Way will be closed between Larkspur Bend and D’Arcy Ranch Drive to allow for a series of repair and paving projects. The closure is scheduled to remain in place until Friday, June 27, weather permitting.

The work includes valve repairs, curb upgrades, and repaving a section of the road that was disturbed during deep utility installations.

Okotoks was busy and packed full of fun on Saturday.

The annual Okotoks Parade happening in downtown Okotoks on Saturday morning, which followed the annual Lions Club pancake breakfast that took place in the Eagle 100.9 parking lot.

There were roughly 65 floats, and after they made their way through the parade route, the Children's Festival kicked off in Ethel Tucker Park at the Arts & Learning Plaza until early afternoon, with entertainment for children.

Check out photos from the day.

Foothills County is currently under a severe thunderstorm watch.

According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, conditions are favourable for a severe thunderstorm to develop early this afternoon and into the evening.

Due to the weather, local travel delays are possible, and driving conditions could become difficult. 

Environment and Climate Change Canada reminds people to head indoors if they hear thunder.

Lighting injuries and kills Canadians yearly, and heavy rain can cause flash floods to occur and can significantly reduce visibility.

Almost a decade after 24 Sussex Drive was abandoned as the official residence of the Canadian prime minister, taxpayers are still shelling out tens of thousands of dollars a year to maintain the vacant property, and the new prime minister has signalled he's in no rush to deal with the crumbling building.

Prime Minister Mark Carney told reporters in May that it's up to the National Capital Commission to decide what to do with 24 Sussex.

Spruce Meadows is bringing the world of superheroes to the showjumping ring this Father's Day with a Marvel-themed celebration.

The Calgary venue will host a range of activities on Sunday, June 16, including live music, photo ops with roaming characters, interactive exhibits, and fan-focused attractions tied to Marvel Comics. The event is part of Spruce Meadows' 50th anniversary celebrations.

The federal public service shed almost 10,000 people last year, with the Canada Revenue Agency and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada losing the most employees.

The last time the public service contracted was in 2015, when the number of people employed dropped just slightly from 257,138 to 257,034.

The number of public servants employed by the federal government fell from 367,772 to 357,965 over the last year.

Canada's fentanyl czar says the fight against the deadly opioid would get a boost from proposed new tools for law enforcement in the Liberal government's recently tabled border bill.

Kevin Brosseau, the federal point person on fentanyl, welcomes provisions in the Strong Borders Act to increase inspection powers, give police easier access to information, crack down on money laundering and improve control of chemicals used to make the drug.

Alberta's government announced Friday residents who are not immunocompromised or on social programs will soon have to pay to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

In a late afternoon news release, the government said that since provinces took over responsibility for procuring the shots in April, it has wanted to cut down on waste and recoup costs.

It said an estimated one million COVID-19 vaccine doses, or just over half of Alberta's supply, were not used during the 2023-2024 respiratory virus season. It said $135 million worth of shots were wasted.